Ensor family

The Ensors trace their family back to one of the early Methodist itinerants Thomas Rought (1772-1845; e.m.1799) and to the Salisburylocal preacherJames Dredge. Charles and Edward John Ensor were glovers at Milborne Port, Som. and local preachers in the Sherborne Circuit. Edward John's grandson, William Walters Ensor (1890-1967; e.m. 1914) was the son of Theodore Francis Ensor, a doctor in Stalbridge, Dorset; his mother was a daughter of William D. Walters. He was well known for his outspokenness on matters of principle. His wife, Constance Eva Ensor, née Milstead (1888-1987), came from a leading family at Bromley Central Hall, where she was in demand as a soloist. She was prominent in Women\'s Work and other District matters. She died in June 1987.

Their son, David Ensor OBE (b. 1924) was educated at Kingswood School, where he was subsequently chairman of the Governors. Following wartime service as a captain in the Royal Signals, he held senior management positions in the printing and newspaper industries: President of the London Printing Industries Association 1976-1977, a member of the Press Council 1982-1990 and Vice-Chairman 1986-1990. He was Chairman of the Methodist Newspaper Company 1981-1996 and Chairman of the Methodist Publishing House 1982-1998. He became a local preacher in 1948 and was Vice-President of the Conference in 1981. His son Dr. Peter W. Ensor (b.1951; e.m. 1975) was a tutor at St. Paul's United Theological College, Limuru, Kenya, in 1984 and Principal 1995-1998, before serving as tutor and Vice-Dean at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Kumba, Cameroon, from 1998 to 2003. In 2008 he became Director of Undergraduate Studies at Cliff College. The family also includes three Anglican priests and the historian Sir R.C.K. Ensor (1877-1958).